Print This PostRisen heroes
Last night, my sweetie, Rhonda, and I watched our favorite show “Extreme Home Makeover Home Edition.” The episode was a repeat from back in February which was replayed for the Fourth of July weekend. This show is the most inspiring show on TV. Instead of being an in-your-face display of irreverence, sensuality, and sometimes downright asinine behavior, this show finds some of the “least of these” among us and just flat out gives them a fresh start. Kudos, ABC!
The best part of honoring our heroes is it give us a chance, even vicariously, to celebrate the good amongst us. The worst part is we think that observing is the same as doing. NOT! How many heroes are there in our midst that don’t get the 15 minutes of fame, the new home, the fresh start. I would argue that there are many.
Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is expected. Daniel Gilyeat and his fellow Marines understand and believe that. Freedom is worth defending, fighting for, even laying down your life for. Not just for a cause; for fellow Americans and everyone around this beautiful planet that long for freedom. May freedom ring long and loud!
Freedom from tyranny is worth fighting for. If that is true, then how about freedom from the tyranny of alcohol, drugs, pornography, everspending, overeating, and depression, etc.? Do they not contribute to the destruction of bodies and minds and souls as much as roadside bombs? Having been in man-made prisons and prisons of my own making, I would argue vehemently, YES! And, just as Daniel Gilyeat lost his leg at a moment in time, and his whole life changed, those whose lives have been scarred by the consequences of choices made by them or others requires the same kind of attention. Ask Daniel Gilyeat if failure was an option. You will get an emphatic NO!
This modern day hero spreads the hope as he goes around to the different hospitals and rehabs to speak into other wounded soldiers, sailors , and airmens’ lives. The message: together we can do this. He did not get where he is today by himself. It took other Marines, doctors, nurses, therapists, family, friends, and a whole bunch of God’s grace to get him where he is today. It will take the same thing for any of us who know we are wounded, or know someone who is wounded, And who isn’t wounded? Who doesn’t know someone wounded? We are all wounded. How do I know that? Because God said so. Jesus said He came for the sick, not the well-or the ones who think they’re well. If we consider ourselves to be Christ followers, then it follows that we are sick. OUCH!
So what can we do? This is a “we” program. Remember. The BODY. That magical, mystical creation of Christ wherein we all reside and have a part. So, take your place. Fulfill your role. Complete the mission that God left us. FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION! We can do it, but not without you. We need you. I need you. The least of these among us needs you, needs me, needs us. In AA they say that you have to “give it away to keep it.” Daniel Gilyeat understands that. Do You?
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July 18th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Harvey: I’m loving this website you have created. You are a very intelligent and funny man. I am so glad that I know you. You are truly an inspiration to me and I’ve never told you that. If we could have sponsors of the opposite gender, I would definitely want you to be my sponsor, but, oh well, it’s not in the rules. God Bless You and keep these postings going, please.
Love in Christ, Connie